My rickety, scary 6′ step ladder wasn’t earning its keep on my truck. After popping off a couple rivets, I decided it had a better future recycled into soda cans.
I had no problem with buying myself a good ladder to use at work. It’s my butt, after all, and I needed a step ladder for personal use anyway.
I ended up buying a clone of the Little Giant ladder, and I love it. I find that it’s a superlative step-ladder. More often than not, we’re working outside on an uneven surface, always tricky with a conventional stepladder. It’s also quite nice to bring it into a finished house and *then* extend it, rather than manhandle a stupid large ladder through doorways.
It’s not a good extension ladder, but it’ll do in a pinch. What’s nice is that it can be a comparatively *short* extension ladder, for use in confined spaces.
I can’t see me pulling it apart and using it as two trestles, but you never know.
Yes, it’s heavy, but not so heavy that it’s a disincentive. And I weigh 225 lbs – I want a rigid ladder.
I was a little worried that I’d fallen for something gimmicky, at first, but it’s already proved its usefulness on site. Definitely a good buy, IMO.
Replies
Biff,
Yes, I got the similar ladder at Lowe's, believe it's made by Werner. Have both the little giant and the werner. Like 'em both.
Was in Costco a couple of weeks ago and they now carry a light weight little giant.
ANDYSZ2WHY DO I HAVE TO EXPLAIN TO FRIENDS AND FAMILY THAT BEING A SOLE PROPRIETOR IS A REAL JOB?
REMODELER/PUNCHOUT SPECIALIST
I have the 17 Werner and a 5-8' "picker" three leg f'glass real Little Giant step. The step is really solid. I got it from the "blem/demo" LG site. Last Job I thought I was going to have to arm wrestle the homeowner to get it back. He was afraid of ladders. I did not know that until I asked him to climb up to the gutters to look at some roof damage.
http://www.laddersales.com/images/products/Little%20Giant%20Ladder%20Ultra%20Step%20Fiber.jpg
what kind of clone?
Every car, truck and tractor in America should run on natural gas- it's the future.
Brand name is "Industrial Lite." I bought it on sale at Canadian Tire.The name is a little ironic, IMO.
The Gorilla ladders at HD are the same kind of thing. I've used the 17' for years, and it works great. I actually like it as an extension ladder - much more stable than my Werner, due to the wider footprint. I've also used it many times as two trestles to make low scaffolding.
I have the Gorilla ladders, the smaller goes to almost 6' and the larger to about 8'. I absolutely love them for site work and they are much more stable than the regular fiberglass. Plus I love the fact that you can use either side of the ladder. Then they fold up & telescope down to fit nicely strapped away standing up in the corner of my work van. I use them almost every day.
They're here to stay.
oh, man... i thought this was gonna be about sump pumps
As we saw earlier with laser levels .... isn't it amazing how prices come down when the patent expires?
I got a costo version of that ladder from a client. Its a nice ladder and I have used it. but man that thing is heavy.
Family.....They're always there when they need you.
I keep an eye out at Costco.
Got a 17' Werner folder there in 2004. Great ladder. $99. Did a lot of work on it. Rated for 300#
Last year they had a 21' folder by Cosco ("The World's Greatest Ladder" - sez so on the ladder), about same price, rated for #300. It is not as well machined at the Werner (kinda scritchy when I deploy it), but it will put me on the top of a 2nd story building, so it's the one riding in the van.
The ToolBear
"You can't save the Earth unless you are willing to make other people sacrifice." Dogbert
I have a LG 22 and it really does replace a lot of different ladders.When I bought mine, I sold my 10' double tread step laddder and my Werner 7-13' convertible cable installer's ladder.If you work out of a van or Suburban - it is invaluable.I've got a few extra of the work platforms for those ladders if anyone wants one.Their made by Gorilla brand, but are identical to the little Giant ones except for they have a few features that allow you to use em for work platforms too - screwdriver/wrench hanging holes and so on.Think they were about $45-50 each, can't remember, but if anyone wants one (I have two), I'd sell em for $25 shipped.Julian
julian AT juliantracy DOT com
I have the Gorilla ladder which is equivalent to the Little Giant 22. Both of them reach to 19' when set up as extension ladders and 9' as step ladders. The Little Giant costs $399 while the Gorilla is $199.
I've had the opportunity to use both. In fact, on one job, I was able to use them side-by-side.
The Little Giant is a superior product. Slightly smoother operation and slightly better fit and finish. I would be willing to pay maybe $25 more for it. By no stretch of my imagination is it worth $200 more. That's twice the price for almost the same ladder.
I give Little Giant a lot of credit for developing a great product, but they no longer own that particular market and they need to adjust their pricing if they want to stay competitive.
"By no stretch of my imagination is it worth $200 more. That's twice the price for almost the same ladder."Yeah but they have wheels!
Nice, but for $200 it better be self-propelled.
I give Little Giant a lot of credit for developing a great product, but they no longer own that particular market and they need to adjust their pricing if they want to stay competitive.
Competitive?
How can a US manufacturer compete with Chinese labor?
I bought my LG years ago when the Chinese knock-offs were coming to the states. I guess what swayed me to pay more was the work platform and the single adjustable leg accessory. Also, I called the importer of the Gorilla brand and parts were not available for sale. You can buy parts from LG.Anyway, I don't regret paying the extra money..View Image
Werner sells parts for their version.Both repair parts and accessories.http://www.wernerladder.com/catalog/files/rc95.pdfLowes stocks the work/step platform..
William the Geezer, the sequel to Billy the Kid - Shoe
Well darn if they don't! It was a few years back when I bought it from the LG booth at the trade show. I saw the Werner booth and they didn't have anything to compare at that time..View Image
"" can't see me pulling it apart and using it as two trestles, but you never know""
It's amazing how much freshly painted trim (crown, etc.) I can place on them to dry.
...The unspoken word is capital. We can invest it or we can squander it. -Mark Twain...Be kind to your children....they will choose your nursing home....aim low boys, they're ridin' shetland ponies !!
Hey, you never know, I guess.
We had an unfortunate situation in which the framer stood a bunch of sheathed walls without housewrap. I don't know why. :P
Anyways, my fancy ladder was great for running around the first floor. Grade was pretty uneven, and I switched from stepladder to extension ladder and back a few times. Very nice.